David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans

David Patchell-Evans or ‘Patch’, as he prefers to be called, is the founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness. Patch started his company from scratch, opening of his first club in 1979 in London, Ontario. From that modest beginning, GoodLife Fitness has grown to be the largest fitness company in Canada. That translates into 350 clubs and 1.2 million members. One in every 30 Canadians is a GoodLife member. Patch has been unwavering in his big vision—to transform the health and wellness of Canadians by giving all Canadians the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life.

To that end GoodLife helps youth ages 12-17 by providing free Teen Fitness each summer. GoodLife Kids Foundation has been inspiring kids to get active since 1998. The foundation partners with elementary school teachers to teach fitness skills for kids during after-school programs at no cost to schools and grants funding for physical activity programs for children with special needs.

In 2010 Patch officially became a global advocate for health and fitness. As Chair of IHRSA—the world’s leading health and fitness association representing 71 countries, he was instrumental in leading the charge to transform the world through fitness.

In 1999 Patch’s three-year old daughter Kilee was diagnosed with autism. Hoping to help other families devastated by this condition, Patch turned to research, education and clinical solutions. He co- founded with Dr. Derrick MacFabe the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group at Western University which has received invitations to present their research at the Nobel Institute in Sweden.

He volunteered as the President of Autism Canada. His has supported and enabled the building of the GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub in Richmond, B.C. opening in 2016.

The GoodLife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention was established in 2012. Together, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre cardiologists and GoodLife elite Personal Trainers developed the first-of-its-kind partnership around cardiac rehabilitation.